3.4L To 3.8L Swap

[ViperJ]

First I have tried to find some previous post on this V6 swap but I couldn't find any... so here goes. I have a 94 V6 camaro (3.4L) and was looking at giving it a few more hp. Cam, Intake, Exhaust etc (probably close to $1000). I am looking at getting my engine rebuilt this summer (again 94 Camaro with 194,000 miles) but I got to wondering would it be cheaper to get a new 3.8L? The 3.4L has 160 hp and 200 ft-lbs while the 3.8 has 200 hp and ? ft-lbs. I am looking at keeping this car for a while (due to the fact I pay insurance on it, 17yr old with a camaro = $$$) but I want decent power and with the 3.8L and cat back exhaust I would be close to 210hp. So which motor option should I go with? And on a diffrent note, what are the hp ratings for the stock 5 speed on these cars? Thanks

Footnotes- Rebuild 3.4L and add performance parts or swap 3.8L in then add exhaust?

[ViperJ]

Originally Posted by ViperJ

due to the fact I pay insurance on it, 17yr old with a camaro = $$$

Let me clarify, I want to pay the insurance on a V6 instead of a V8 because insurance would be almost 2/3 as much with a 8 cylinder.

[FormulaLT1]

Just so you know. Insurance company's go by your vin. They would never know if you had put a V8 in it but the amount of money you would spend to get this done compared to price of trading your car in for a 3.8 makes no sense but just my opinion.

John

[Chevyracincamaro]

remarks:
dont think that just cause the vin says v-6 that you cant get in trouble (im not sayin you were implyin that formula but you didnt say so i will). that is technically insurance fraud, if you get in an accident or they require visual inspection then they can find out. also, it is even less cost-effective to go from a 3.4 to a 3.8 than it is to put a v-8 in. if there is a swap possibility i have probably looked into it. i even looked into putting a dodge motor in my chevy, bottom line is that unless you really just want to do the swap. it costs less to buy a v-8 car. also, there are few options on building the 3.8, and there almost none for the 3.4. so, you have some decisions to make...

[ViperJ]

See thats the problem I dont want a V8 right now. I want a mid to high 14 sec V6 camaro. So my question still remains how hard would it be to SWAP the 3.4L to the 3.8L. I understand I would get more hp by putting a LS1 or LT1 in but that would cost (from what I have seen) 10 grand. I am hoping to get a 3.8L mounted to the stock 3.4L camaro, same tranny, same rear end etc.

[Chevyracincamaro]

thats the thing, i know exactly how compatible the 3.4 and 3.8 camaros are. you would still have to swap tranny bell housings, front crossmember, harness, and computer. thats just off the top of my head. for the app, you would have to swap driveshafts and rear-ends. i dont remember the list of other things that is different. its possible that the 3.4/3.8 swap will end up being cheapier, but as i remember it wasnt by much. i havent looked into it in a long time so go do some research and get back to me on what you find.

also, dont quote me but i think there is a supercharger kit for the 3.8.

[Chevyracincamaro]

another option you might want to look into is www.supersixmotorsports.com

they have a "power package" for the 3.4 (and 3.8 for that matter). basically ported/polished heads, intake manifolds, and new cam. if you want to look into buildin the 3.4 they claim 225hp with that kit on the 3.4. wont get you to the 14s but with some other additions and maybe a spray it could be possible...

[Mr. Luos]

Originally Posted by ViperJ

I understand I would get more hp by putting a LS1 or LT1 in but that would cost (from what I have seen) 10 grand.

I will sell you my LS1.


Seems like a lot of dough to go after the swap for not much gain.
Good luck either way.

[ViperJ]

Originally Posted by Chevyracincamaro

also, dont quote me but i think there is a supercharger kit for the 3.8.

I have checked into the superchargers for both engines and those are expensive. RSM Racing sells a supercharger for the 3.4L, 80hp for $3,400. LM Performance has the 3.8L supercharger kit for $3,999. I think RKSport also had some. That seems expensive to me, its about $42 a hp.

[Chevyracincamaro]

well putting the supercharger on your 3.4 would end up costing less than buying a brand new 3.8 and swappin em out. also, what do you mean when you say rebuild the engine, as in a performance rebuild or a stock rebuild. cause if you know a company that sells high-end rotating assemblies and such for the 3.4 you gotta let me know. you also have to take hp numbers at face value, the systems wont give every car exactly 80hp everytime. it changes with application.

i just dont think i have a good grasp on what you want to do. you want to swap out engines, but dont want to spend more than a grand?

[Xbox2202]

I'm in almost exactly the same place as you here. I'm 17, with my 3.4L, also a 94, I've just got about 20K less miles than you. I understand about the insurance, it really sucks how much we have to pay. I've looked up lots of switches for engines, and it costs too much to switch unless you just want to. It's not worth the money to get it switched. Just clean up your car, do things to make it look better, then sell if for as much as you can if you want a faster car.

[ViperJ]

Originally Posted by Chevyracincamaro

what do you mean when you say rebuild the engine, as in a performance rebuild or a stock rebuild.

I am looking at geting a performance rebuild. Cam, rockers, valves etc but I was wondering if it would be cheaper to get the 3.8L engine. It looks like that will be more expensive than what I was hoping for.

Originally Posted by Chevyracincamaro

you also have to take hp numbers at face value, the systems wont give every car exactly 80hp everytime. it changes with application.

I realize that every supercharger wont give 80hp or whatever the advertised hp ratings. Overall engine wear, tempature timing etc all comes into effect

Originally Posted by Chevyracincamaro

i just dont think i have a good grasp on what you want to do. you want to swap out engines, but dont want to spend more than a grand?

I was looking into getting my motor rebuilt with some performance mods, but then I got to thinking would it be cheaper to switch in the 3.8? I wanted to see if that would be a cheaper option but it doesn't seem like it so ill stick with the 3.4L engine.

[Chevyracincamaro]

thats prolly your best bet. also, sorry i got so confused with everything and went in circles with the responses...

[CamarosRsweet94]

I am wondering how well the 3.4L would stand up to being supercharged... Does anybody know someone who has done it? I'm sure it's gotta be pretty damn hard on the engine and tranny both would they take the beating for long?

[Chevyracincamaro]

the tranny should hold up pretty well. the engine is another story, i have always been told that if you force induce, you have to build the engine to stand the conditions. people keep tellin me that if you run low boost its not problem.

the only charger kit for the 3.4 is made by RSMracing up in canada. 3400 bucks and uses a vortec supercharger. i would imagine that the 3.4 would do rather nicely charged, but building the engine is the hard part. (no aftermarket rotating assemblies)